*Tom* "Can I get you guys something ?" Luca asks, as we have gotten to the club and sat down in one of the VIP couches. "I'll have a Scotch please". I slide my arm around Meri, pulling her to my side. "What do you want, love ?" She looks thoughtful for a moment. "Can I get a glass of champagne ?" "Sure no problem sweetie". Luca flashes her a smile and turns to Lumi. "And what can I get for you ? Witches brew ? Pure poison ?" "Just a bottle of water". For once Lumi isn't answering back with some snarky remark. Luca looks rather surprised. "Water ?" "Yeah water ... you know wet thing, you can bathe in it ... do you have a problem with that ?" Her eyes flashes. Luca holds up his hands. "Relax, it's just not the most common response to get at a club". Meri leans over, taking Lumi's hand. "Are you sure you are okay siskoni ?" "I am fine Meri, don't start worrying". Lumi is smiling softly. "I had wine with dinner -.. so I better hold back a bit, that's all". Meri sighs. "Just pr
*Tom* I almost drop my keys trying to unlock the door. Suddenly feeling all nervous and uncertain. What if she only wants to snuggle ? What if she ends up disappointed after all this wait ? "Tom ... breathe". She gently takes the key and unlocks the door. "Nothing to stress about". I follow her inside, closing the door behind us and seconds later we are greeted by Nani jumping around us, begging for attention and a walk. "I better take him out for a short walk". "It's fine. I'll go get ready for bed then". She says with a shy smile, before kissing me softly. After putting on his harnesh I hurry out to walk Nani. Knowing that if I had postponed it like I was really tempted to, he probably wouldn't have come out before tomorrow. Of course he has to walk extra slow and sniff at everything and I start to grow impatient, wanting to get back to the warm embrace that awaits me there. Finally Nani is done with what he needs to do and we hurry home, hoping that Meri hasn't fallen aslee
*Lumi* After getting out of the cap, we hurry up to the front steps and I find my key to unlock the door. I can feel Luca standing close behind me, his hands having a tight hold on my hips. His warm lips start nippling on my neck and shoulder and I have to admit that it makes it very hard to focus on getting the key into the lock. "Luca, could you stop for just a moment please ? I can't get the door unlocked and I don't think you want to continue this on my doorstep". I say after missing the keyhole for the third time. He chuckles in my ear, but at least he removes his lips from my skin long enough for me to get the door opened. Then he eagerly pushes me inside and closes the door behind us. When he turns around I am on him in a flash. The old lady downstairs is def, and goes to bed at 9 pm, so no danger of her walking out finding us making out in the hallway. My lips are sealed to his and my hands are in his hair, making him gasp. His hands are pulling my blouse from my tro
*Luca* "Wake up Your oaf ... I can't risk Meri showing up and finding you in my bed". Lumi is kicking the bed, rattling me from my sleep. I groan and roll on my back. "Couldn't you chill for once ? I mean you are the ice queen after all". "Ha ha always so funny. Come on get a move on and please stop waving that thing at me". She huffs. Okay I am getting tired of this. And before she can react I pull her down on the bed, having her under me. "You were not saying that last night. But what about we start over ... I have a feeling we kind of got off on the wrong foot. Hi I am Luca, nice to meet you". "Luca stop being silly, let me go". She is squirming, but I am not giving in this easily. "Baby listen, I do enjoy our banter ... actually it's a bit kinky, but both you and me know that ... Well yesterday wasn't an accident. Why don't we just admit that ?" She still smells of vanilla. She presses hard on my chest. "Don't Luca ... it was nothing ... it was sex. I mean we don't even li
3 weeks later *Meri* I wake up feeling happy … today I am finally going to see Tom again. He has been in America for a week doing some comic con and some interviews. I have missed him like crazy, and can't wait to see him again. Actually he arrived home sometime last night, but as I had an event at School that ran late … and he wasn't sure what time he would be in and he probably would be exhausted after the long trip, we decided to wait and see each other today. I have been increasingly worried about Lumi. She has been looking pale and having headaches. And she has been bone tired too. But she insists that she is okay and taking her medication. Rolling over I pick up my ipad, seeing I have a lot of notifications on twitter. Like a lot a lot. Even if Tom hasn't gone out and talked about our relationship and my name has not publicly been mentioned in connection to him, I have gotten a lot of new followers lately. And Tom admitted on his panel 3 days ago, that yes he is seeing som
*Tom* "Sleep darling, you need some rest". I tuck in Meri, kissing her softly. We have spent the whole day at the hospital with Lumi, and now it's really late and we are both tired. "Thanks Tom, for being there and for keeping calm and doing what needed to be done". She mumbles, half asleep. I smile softly. "It was my pleasure, love". "Sorry I was angry, I trust you". She whispers, slipping off to sleep. I smile to myself, it's like the tenth time she is saying that, and there is no reason for her to apologise. Going downstairs I call for Nani, apologising to him that he has had to wait so long for a walk. But we just couldn't leave Lumi earlier. It's nice walking down the cool evening street, clearing my head a bit. It had been a shock for me to find out about Lumi being sick. I mean I had noticed her looking a bit pale and tired lately, but I had thought she had a virus or was stressed from school. It had been a small blood clot caused by too many blood platelets. Luckily the
*Luca* The kiss is soft and warm, her lips molding perfectly to mine and I can't stop a small whimper from escaping my throat. I haven't been able to stop thinking about her and when Tom called me, needing to talk, as he was pretty shaken, I might have been a very poor friend to him, but I panicked. I needed to get to her as fast as possible. But damn she is not making it easy at all. I had been taking a huge change … threatening to leave. luckily it paid off. but I can't help wondering when she will pull up the facade again. "How are you … ". Meri's voice trails off. We quickly break the kiss and both turn to see Meri and Tom stand in the doorway, looking utterly flabbergasted. I try not to laugh at their expressions. "Uhm, hi guys". "Luca ! What the fuck are you doing here". Tom manages to say, after picking his jaw off the floor. "Kissing my best girl … what does it look like I am doing". I can't help chuckling, I have never seen Tom look this surprised. Meri is staring a
*Lumi* The door open and my mom comes striding in. "oh Mussu.. I told you that you should have stayed at home where I could protect you". "Äiti ! Stop fuzzing about me … And stop calling me Mussu". I grumble at my mom. As always she looks perfect. She comes over to hug me. "But you are my Mussu, you will always be. Where is your sister ?" "She is picking up some things for me in the small shop downstairs. She'll be back in a minute". I tell her. Mom is great, but she can be a bit over protective. "So what is it with her seeing someone ? Is he a good man ?" She asks, sitting down on the chair. Of course she is curious, no man has ever been good enough for her girls. I shake my head. "Meri better tell you herself. But Tom is a good guy mom, he really is. So ... give him a chance". "Give him a chance ? What's wrong with him since you are saying it like that ?" She starts looking all worried of course. "Nothing Äiti, but I know you". I sigh. "You are certain to find something".
*Lumi* I sit in the garden, feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin, as I watch my two-year-old son, Rasmus, playing with his cousin, Valo. Their laughter fills the air, a delightful melody that brings a smile to my face. Luca and Tom are tending to the barbecue, the tantalizing aroma of food making my stomach growl with anticipation.It's hard to believe that two years have passed since that special day when Meri and I both became mothers. My chronic leukemia, once a heavy burden, has been kept under control with the help of the new medicine. I feel healthy, alive, and grateful for every moment I get to spend with my family.The news of Meri's pregnancy fills my heart with joy. I glance over at her, as she is sitting beside me, her baby bump starting to show. I can't help but smile, I am so happy for her and Tom. "Meri," I say, excitement bubbling in my voice. "Have you found out the gender of your baby yet?" Meri's eyes light up, and a mischievous grin spreads across her face.
2 months later *Tom* The sun is blazing hot on the Texan soil as I walk into the room where Luca and I are supposed to get ready for the big day. I glance at my reflection in the mirror, adjusting the collar of my shirt, I am ignoring the faint pain in my leg… a harsh reminder of the past. "Think it's hot enough?" Luca's voice pulls me from my thoughts. He is already dressed in his new suit, looking more Hollywood than Texas, but his grin is as wide as the Rio Grande. "I think it's just right," I reply, a smirk pulling at my lips. I remember how Meri will often tease me about my British love for cooler weather. But today, even the heat seems tolerable, maybe because I finally will get to call her my wife. Luca laughs, a hearty sound that fills the room. "That's because you are about to marry the woman of your dreams. Even a Texan summer can't dampen that." "Marrying the woman of my dreams in a double wedding with her equally beautiful twin and my best friend," I add, causing
*Lumi* I walk into the room, the soft light casting a warm glow on the scene before me. My heart skips a beat as I see Luca sitting there, cradling our tiny son in his arms. A surge of love washes over me, filling every fiber of my being. Luca's eyes meet mine, and a tender smile spreads across his face. I can't help but be amazed by how effortlessly he handles our little one. It's as if he was born to be a father, his touch so gentle despite his size, his voice so soothing. After two weeks I am finally starting to feel mostly like myself again after the birth. At least in those ways that will return to being as before. The ones that won’t, Well I do not care, it was all worth it to have our little Rasmus. His name means beloved and desired and he truly is both. I watch in awe as Luca tries to make our baby boy smile. He makes funny faces and coos softly, his voice filled with pure affection. Our son's eyes fixate on him, captivated by his presence. It's a magical sight, one th
*Tom* I stand by Meri's side, holding her hand firmly as the doctor guides her through the labor. My heart swells with pride and admiration for the woman I love, as she bravely endures the pain and discomfort of bringing our son into the world. I glance over at Lumi, my soon-to-be sister-in-law, and am struck by the incredible bond between these two sisters, both going through this life-changing experience together. "Alright, Meri, when the next contraction comes, give it a good push". The doctor instructs, her voice calm and steady. Meri nods, her face flushed and sweaty, but determined. As the contraction hits, she squeezes my hand tightly, her nails digging into my skin. I wince, but refuse to let go or show any sign of discomfort. My pain is nothing compared to what she's going through right now. "You are doing amazing, love”. I whisper, trying to offer her some comfort between contractions. She manages a weak smile, her eyes filled with exhaustion but also an unwavering dete
*Luca* I watch as Lumi struggles with the electrolyte drink. I gently encourage her, saying. "It's important to stay hydrated, babe. Just a bit more”. After she has finished drinking, Lumi tells me she wants to get up and walk around. I support her as she rises, wrapping my arm around her waist. As we walk, the contractions continue to hit. Each time one comes, I gently stroke her lower back, trying to alleviate some of the pain, wishing I could remove it all. "Just breathe, Lumi. I'm here for you”. I whisper to her. Across the room, Meri is voicing her regret about not getting an epidural. Lumi, feeling her sister's pain, walks over to comfort her. "It's going to be okay, Meri. We are in this together". She reassures her sister. Seeing that Tom needs a break, having noticed him shuffle his feet for a while, I tell him, "Go ahead, man. Take a quick bathroom break. We will be here”. As Tom goes to the bathroom, I stay close to Lumi and Meri, prepared to help them through whateve
*Tom* I'm standing next to Meri, holding her hand tightly as we wait for the doctor to arrive. The room feels small, even though it's quite spacious, with both our families sharing it. I can feel the tension in the air, and my heart races with every passing moment. Meri's grip on my hand tightens as another contraction hits. I wince in sympathy, but she just lets out a string of curses that would make a sailor blush. It's a side of her I haven't seen before, and it catches me off guard. She has always been the more composed of the two sisters, but the pain seems to bring out a whole new side of her. My eyes drift over to Luca and Lumi. Luca is resting his forehead against Lumi's temple, whispering something in her ear. Lumi, who I have always known to be the more fiery and passionate of the two, seems surprisingly calm in this situation. It's a stark contrast to Meri's reaction, and it's oddly reassuring. I look back at my fiancée, trying to figure out how to help her through thi
*Meri* I'm sitting on the edge of the couch, gently rubbing my lower back as a dull ache radiates through it. Tom looks over at me with concern in his eyes. "Are you okay, love ?" he asks, setting down the book he has been reading. I nod, trying to smile through the discomfort. "Yeah, it's just my body getting ready for the birth, I think. It's probably normal". Tom's face softens, and he moves closer to me. "Let me give you a massage. It might help with the pain". I gratefully accept his offer. Tom fetches a yoga ball from the corner of the room and places it in front of the couch. I carefully lean over the yoga ball, resting my upper body on it, while Tom starts massaging my lower back. As he works on my tense muscles, I can't help but let out a small groan of relief. His strong hands expertly knead the achy area, easing my discomfort. After a while, Tom starts talking about our little boy, who is due to arrive in just a week. "I can't wait to meet him, Meri. Our lives
*Lumi* As we get ready for the appointment, I can see the worry painted across Luca's face. He's been so nervous ever since we found out about my leukemia, and now that we're expecting our first child, his concern has only grown. "Luca, I promise I've been feeling so much better since starting the new medicine," I reassure him, as we both get dressed. He nods, but his eyes still hold a hint of fear. "I know, Lumi, it's just that... I can't help but worry about you and the baby," he admits, his voice trembling slightly. I walk over to him, placing a gentle hand on his cheek. "We're in this together, remember? And the doctors are keeping a close eye on us. We'll be okay." He takes a deep breath and nods again, pulling me into a tight embrace. I can feel his heart racing, and I know that he's trying to be strong for both of us. We arrive at the clinic hand in hand, and check in at the reception desk. First I have to go to the nurse, having blood drawn, so the doctor can check e
*Meri* The sun is shining brightly as we enter the fair ground, and the smell of popcorn and cotton candy fills the air. "I have always loved the atmosphere of fairs". I say, grinning at Tom. He squeezes my hand and nods in agreement. Lumi and Luca walk beside us, their laughter contagious. "Remember when we used to come to carnivals as kids?" Lumi asks, her eyes sparkling. "Of course, we always had so much fun together". I reply, reminiscing. “But you never tried a Texan one”. Luca winks at us. “Cowboy style”. “Yi-ha”. Lumi cheers. It warms my heart to see her in such high spirits. As we enter the area with the games and rides, Tom spots a ring toss game and challenges Luca. "Bet I can win a stuffed animal for Meri before you can win one for Lumiøz He says, smirking. "You are on”. Luca replies, grinning. “You do remember my card toss right ? You can still bow out”. Lumi and I stand on the sidelines, cheering them on. "They are so competitive”. I laugh. "It's adorable”. Lum